ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, Government is exploring the potential of Bus Roof Mounted Air Purification Systems  to capture Particulate Matter in the highly polluted cities
CSIR is engaged in the R&D activities to address air pollution issues in six cities i.e. Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said, Government is exploring the potential of Bus Roof Mounted Air Purification Systems  to capture Particulate Matter in the highly polluted cities.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Central Pollution Control Board , a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change  has installed Pariyayantra Filtration units on top of 30 buses to filter dust in Delhi-NCR.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, CPCB conducted pilot trials of various new technologies for management and improvement of air quality in Delhi-NCR through premier institutions. A pilot study was conducted on the deployment and evaluation of Wind Augmentation and Purifying  units for traffic junction pollution abatement in Delhi. He said, under this study, 54 units were installed which operated at five traffic intersections in Delhi i.e., ITO, Anand Vihar, Shadipur, Wazirpur Chowk and Bhikaji Cama Place for reduction in air pollution.
A pilot study was conducted on control of dust emissions using dust suppressants. Under this, application of dust suppressant  was done at 03 sites: Sarai kale khan road, DDA construction site at Narela and Dilshad Garden flyover to Shaheed nagar metro station to check the control on dust emissions. Installed a negative ion generator at IIT Delhi, Sonipat campus for accessing the impact of generated Negative Air ions  on ambient air quality. Further, two experimental pilot projects of smog towers, one at Anand vihar by Central Government and another at Connaught place by Delhi Government has been commissioned to reduce particulate air pollution.
The Minister said, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Central Electrochemical Research Institute , Karaikudi and CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute , Nagpur are engaged in the R&D activities to address air pollution issues in six cities i.e. Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai.
Department of Science and Technology  has supported Research & Development  project for development of indigenous photonic system for real time remote monitoring of air quality parameters.
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SNC/PK
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Prime Minister's Office
PM to Visit West Bengal and Jharkhand on May, 25
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will visit West Bengal and Jharkhand on 25th May.
He will attend the convocation of Visva Bharati University at Santi Niketan. He will also inaugurate the Bangladesh Bhavan – a symbol of the cultural ties between India and Bangladesh – at Santi Niketan. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Ms. Sheikh Hasina, will be present at both these events.
In Jharkhand, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of various projects of the Government of India and Government of Jharkhand, at an event in Sindri. These include:
· Revival of Sindri Fertilizer Project of Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Ltd.
· Ranchi City Gas Distribution Project by GAIL
· All India Institute of Medical Sciences , Deoghar
· Development of Deoghar Airport
· Patratu Super Thermal Power Project 
He will also witness the Exchange of MoUs for Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
The Prime Minister will address the gathering.
Later, the Prime Minister will interact with the District Collectors of Aspirational Districts of Jharkhand, in Ranchi.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates and lays foundation stone of 8 National Highway projects worth Rs 4054 crore in Jabalpur ,Madhya Pradesh
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari giving a new impetus to the progress of Madhya Pradesh through better road connectivity inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 8 National Highway projects worth Rs 4054 crore and 214 km length in Jabalpur ,Madhya Pradesh in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of State Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, State Minister Shri Gopal Bhargava, Jabalpur MP Shri Rakesh Singh, MPs, MLAs and others officials.
Shri Gadkari said that 53 km from Hiran river to Singur river and 12 km 4-lane construction of Nauradehi Wild Life Sanctuary will save 2 hours travel time from Jabalpur to Bhopal. The farmers of Narsinghpur, the largest producer of sugarcane and pulses, will be able to take their grains to the mandis of Malwa and Central region. Along with this, 23 underpasses and 5 minor bridges are also being built for the convenience and safety of animals in the Wild Life Sanctuary, he added.
On this occasion, the foundation stone of 112 km, 4-lane Jabalpur Ring Road was laid at a cost of Rs 3600 crore under Bharatmala project. This ring road will be built on Barela - Malegaon - Shahpura Bhatauni - Kushner - Amjhar - Barela road, which will include bridge over river Narmada, 750 meters Iconic Bridge and ROB at Bhedaghat and ROB at Deori.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
NCGG and Maldives Civil Services Commission sign MOU on Training and Capacity Building
The National Center for Good Governance , India’s leading civil services training institution, has entered into an MOU with the Maldives Civil Services Commission for capacity building of 1000 Maldives civil servants over the next 5 years. The agreement was signed during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Male on 8th June 2019.
The agreement envisages that NCGG will be the nodal institution for designing customised training modules and its implementation taking into account the requirements of the Civil Service Commission, Maldives. The subject matters of the training program will include public administration, e-governance and service delivery, public policy and governance, information technology, best practices in fisheries in coastal areas, agro-based practices,self help group initiatives, urban development and planning, ethics in administration and challenges in implementation of SDGs. Maldives will nominate suitable civil servants in the senior/ executive/ middle management levels as per agreed timelines.
Further the NCGG will assist the Civil Services Training Institute, a subsidiary of the Civil Service Commission, Maldives to develop training programs and materials, assist in organizing the exchange of experts as needed by the Civil Services Commission.
The Ministry of External Affairs will bear all expenses pertaining to the training program.
Shri K.V.Eapen Director General NCGG and Secretary to Government of India Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances said that NCGG had trained 28 Maldives Civil Servants in April 2019 and this successful engagement encouraged the two countries to take the collaboration forward. Shri. Eapen said that in 2019 NCGG has successfully conducted training programs for civil servants of Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Gambia and Maldives.
AYUSH
‘SMART’ program for Ayurveda professionals to boost R&D in Ayurveda in the country
Ayush aims to open new avenues with ‘SMART’ initiative for quality research in Ayurveda
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine  and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences , the two prominent institutions under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India for regulating medical education and conducting scientific research respectively, have launched ‘SMART’  program aimed to boost scientific research in priority healthcare research areas through Ayurveda colleges and hospitals.
The program was launched today by Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman, NCISM and Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS in the presence of Prof. B. S. Prasad, President of Board of Ayurveda, NCISM and other senior officials.
Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman, NCISM, lauded the initiative and said, “I am confident that this program has the potential to transform clinical research in Ayurveda. It was observed that the research potential of the large community of Ayurveda teachers remains under utilised mostly. Therefore, the ‘SMART’ program will have a deep long term rejuvenating impact on research in the field of Ayurveda and it will be a great service to the nation, I congratulate CCRAS for this initiative and ensure all support on behalf of NCISM.”
While highlighting key points of ‘SMART’, Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS said, “The proposed initiative is conceptualised with an objective to identify, support and promote innovative research ideas in healthcare research areas including Osteoarthritis, Iron Deficiency Anaemia, Chronic Bronchitis, Dyslipidemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Obesity, Diabetes Mellitus, Psoriasis, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ”.
He also added, “The eligible Ayurveda academic institutions may apply by 10 January, 2023. All details regarding contact information, eligibility criteria and application process has been shared to all recognized academic institutions and hospitals through NCISM”.
Prof. B. S. Prasad, President of Board of Ayurveda, NCISM, mentioned, “The large network of Ayurveda colleges and hospitals across the country is an asset for the country in terms of its healthcare needs. This network has not only been offering healthcare services in hardest times, but it also has contributed significantly in terms of healthcare research in the country. The ‘SMART’ program will certainly motivate teachers for taking up projects in designated areas of healthcare research and create a large database.”
Ministry of Finance
Government sets up two call centres to cater to the queries relating to GST
Government has set up two call centres being run for the purpose of catering to queries of taxpayers and stakeholders in GST.
i. Call centre on GST Application software prepared by GSTN, is being run by GSTN. Phone number is 0120-4888999 and email id is helpdesk@gst.gov.in
ii. CBEC Mitra Helpdesk for replying to queries related to GST is being run by CBEC. Phone number is 1800-1200-232 and email id is cbecmitra.helpdesk@icegate.gov.in
The call centres are replying to queries of taxpayers and also providing information regarding guidelines and FAQs issued by CBEC from time to time.
The GSTN helpdesk and the CBEC Mitra Helpdesk have been contracted for a period of five years and seven years respectively.
This was stated by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Finance in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Ordnance Factories strike called off
Continuing the process of dialogue which had started from 14 August 2019, the fourth meeting was held yesterday with the office bearers of AIDEF, INDWF, BPMS and CDRA under the Chairmanship of Secretary, DDP. While reaffirming that the proposed corporatisation of OFB is under examination of the Government, Secretary, DDP patiently listened to the concerns expressed by the Employees Federations regarding how the benefits/interests of employees in terms of wages, health facilities and other service matters may be affected due to corporatisation of OFB. The Employees Federations inter-alia suggested that their views should be considered while preparing the roadmap for increasing the turnover of the proposed entity from the current levels. After detailed deliberations, it was agreed to recommend to the Government, the setting up of a High Level Official Committee to interact with Employees Federations to examine their concerns and other aspects of the proposed new entity. The Federations on their part have agreed to withdraw the ongoing strike and continue with the process of dialogue. With this, employees will now be resuming their duties with effect from Monday, 26th August, 2019.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Working of Kisan Seva Kendras
As reported by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas- Kisan Seva Kendras  are rural retail outlets of Indian Oil Corporation Limited  where all customers who come for refueling are serviced. As per market requirement, Indian Oil Corporation Limited Kisan Seva Kendras  also provide allied facilities like Micro ATM, Convenience Store, Fertilizers/Pesticides, farm equipments etc. depending upon the buying habits and preference of the local rural customers.
The number of such Indian Oil Corporation  Kisan Seva Kendras  operating in the country as on 01.10.2019 is 8044. Further, IOCL has advertised 13827 number of KSK locations during the last advertisement issued in Nov/Dec’ 2018.
The number of staff deployed at retail outlets depends on various factors like type of market , nature of clientele , number of dispensing units installed, the Retail Outlets  working hours, number of shifts etc. Moreover, the deployment of manpower at retail outlets is being done by the dealers.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh & his Australian counterpart Mr Richard Marles discuss ways to enhance defence cooperation during bilateral talks in New Delhi
Joint Press Statement
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on June 22, 2022. The two Ministers reviewed the existing defence cooperation activities which have been increasing despite challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and discussed ways to enhance further cooperation.
The Ministers reviewed the defence and security pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment towards implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust and understanding, common interests and shared values, of democracy and rule of law. They welcomed the growing diversity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges between the two countries and undertook to build upon operational engagements through the India-Australia Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.
Both Ministers committed to give fillip to the India-Australia Joint Working Group  on Defence Research and Materiel Cooperation, which will meet in Australia later this year. This JWG is a crucial mechanism for boosting ties between defence industries. The Ministers discussed further opportunities for industrial cooperation between India and Australia to increase the resilience of supply chains and deliver capabilities to their respective defence forces. Both sides agreed to explore means to grow connections and opportunities between Indian and Australian defence industrial bases.
Both Ministers welcomed the plan to commence the landmark General Rawat Young Officer Exchange Programme in the latter half of 2022, which was announced during the virtual summit meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries on March 21, 2022.
The Ministers reviewed strategic challenges and the regional security situation and reaffirmed their shared objective of an open, free, inclusive, prosperous and rules-based Indo Pacific region. They looked forward to India’s participation in Australia’s Indo Pacific Endeavour exercise in October 2022.
Earlier in the day, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia visited the National War Memorial and paid homage to the war heroes by laying a wreath at the monument. The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour before the bilateral meeting with Shri Rajnath Singh.
Mr Richard Marles is on a visit to India from June 20-23, 2022. On June 21, 2022, he visited Goa which included a tour of Goa Shipyard Limited and a display of India’s growing prowess in indigenous drone development and autonomous vehicle technology.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Creation of two posts of Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in the Central Government in terms of Section 74 of The RPwD Act, 2016 to assist the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for Creation of two  posts of Commissioners in the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities , in terms of provisions of The Rights of Persons with Disabilities  Act, 2016. Out of the two posts of Commissioners, one Commissioner will be a person with disability.
The above two Commissioners will assist the CCPD in discharging his statutory functions as per provisions of the said Act. This would enable the Office of CCPD to look into the complaints of persons with disabilities expeditiously, besides strengthening the monitoring mechanism overseeing the implementation of the RPwD Act, 2016.
Ministry of Finance
FACELESS ASSESSMENTSCHEME
A statutory scheme which while eliminating physical interface between the taxpayer and tax officers, to the extent technologically possible, intends to optimize utilization of resources through economies of scale and functional specialization. This also introduces a team-based assessment with dynamic jurisdiction.
Benefits to the tax-payers include ease of submissions of their statutory compliances obviating multiple visit to the tax office, and no wastage of time in waiting for the tax officer. For the system, benefits include a standardization of approach and uniform application of law in the context of a uniform set of facts. The idea is to be expeditious, objective, fair and just in determining tax and applicable levies, and ruling out high pitch assessment.
The Faceless Assessment Scheme was notified on 12th September 2019. A Pilot project was inaugurated on 7th October 2019. Selection of cases for faceless assessments is automated, and allocation of cases to e-assessment units is in a random manner. Notices are generated from a Central Cell and it is this Central Cell which is the single point of faceless contact between the taxpayer and the Department.
Pan-India, 58319 cases were under Faceless Assessment Scheme of which 8701 cases have been finalized without addition. Only in 296 cases additions proposed and these are under review.
Hyderabad presently hosts a Regional E-Assessment Centre with 2 Principal Commissioners of Income Tax handling the cases referred to it.
Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses Civil Servants on the occasion of Civil Services Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed Civil Servants on the occasion of Civil Services Day. He said the occasion is one of Appreciation, Evaluation and Introspection. He described the Prime Minister's Award as a step towards motivating civil servants, and congratulated the awardees. He said the awards also indicate the priorities of the Government.
He said that the priority programmes such as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Deendayal Upadhyay Kaushalya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Digital Payments, for which awards have been given, are important programmes for New India. He also mentioned the two books on Prime Minister's Awards, and on Initiatives in Aspirational Districts, which were released today.
Speaking on the subject of Aspirational Districts, the Prime Minister said that these 115 districts could become growth engines for their entire States. He stressed on the importance of Jan Bhagidaari, or public participation, in development. He said 2022, the seventy-fifth anniversary of independence, can become an inspiration for working towards achieving the India of the dreams of our freedom fighters.
The Prime Minister asserted that all available technology, including space technology, should be used for improving governance. He said it is important for civil servants to keep pace with emerging technologies worldwide.
He described civil servants as people with great capability and said that these capabilities can contribute in a big way, for the benefit of the nation.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister greets everyone on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted people on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
Shri Modi also wished that this festival may deepens the feeling of amity and harmony in everyone's life.
In a X post, the Prime Minister said;
“मेरे सभी परिवारजनों को रक्षाबंधन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। बहन और भाई के बीच अटूट विश्वास और अगाध प्रेम को समर्पित रक्षाबंधन का ये पावन पर्व, हमारी संस्कृति का पवित्र प्रतिबिंब है। मेरी कामना है, यह पर्व हर किसी के जीवन में स्नेह, सद्भाव और सौहार्द की भावना को और प्रगाढ़ करे।”
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Implementation of the Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled Areas 
The Parliament enacted “The Provisions of the Panchayats  Act, 1996”  to extend Part IX of the Constitution, with certain modifications and exceptions, to the Fifth Schedule areas of ten States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana. Nine PESA States, except Rajasthan, have incorporated the provisions of PESA 1996 in their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. The tenth State, Rajasthan, has notified “The Rajasthan Panchayat Raj  Act 1999”. With the objective of effective implementation of PESA, Ministry of Panchayati Raj circulated Draft Model PESA Rules in 2009. Based on constant persuasion by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj six States namely; Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Telangana have notified their State PESA Rules under their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has requested, the States of Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh to notify their State PESA Rules through advisories, conferences, meetings, workshops. The recent advisory sent in this regard was in February, 2022.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.